SCC JM Independent Experts Assessment Services DPS
Framework Description
Surrey County Council's JM Independent Experts Assessment Services DPS is a Light Touch Dynamic Purchasing System for commissioning independent expert assessments. It started with a three-year term plus an optional two-year extension, giving a maximum duration to 31 July 2029. Lots cover expert witness assessments, special guardianship order assessments, and multi-disciplinary community assessments.
Context & Use Case
The Council uses it when it needs independent professional assessments in social care cases, special guardianship applications and community assessments. Experts admitted to the DPS can be engaged quickly as cases arise, giving social work teams access to qualified assessors, from independent social workers to psychiatrists, without a separate procurement for each case.
Scope of Services
Lot 1a: Assessments by Independent Social Workers Lot 1b: Assessments by Psychologists Lot 1c: Assessments by Psychiatrists Lot 1d: Assessments by All Other Experts Lot 2: Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Assessments Lot 3: Multi-disciplinary / Community Assessments
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits independent social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, other expert witnesses and multi-disciplinary assessment services, whether firms or individuals. As a DPS it is open: experts can apply for one or more lots at any time until 31 July 2029.
Buyer Benefits
Assessments often need commissioning quickly, so a standing pool of vetted experts saves social work teams time and keeps cases moving. Lots by profession make it easy to find the right specialist, and an open DPS lets the Council add experts where demand is high.
Next Steps
Find Surrey County Council's DPS documents through its procurement channels or the linked decision page, choose the lots and sub-lots matching your profession, and apply. Prepare professional registration (such as Social Work England, HCPC or GMC), DBS checks, indemnity insurance, CVs and anonymised assessment reports. Once admitted, respond promptly to requests.
How Athena Can Help
Expert assessment DPSs are often joined by individuals and small practices with little time for paperwork. Athena's DPS admission support completes the application for the lots and sub-lots that fit your profession and checks it for compliance.
Once admitted, our bid writing help sharpens responses to individual requests, and our public sector fee advice helps you set rates that are competitive for the Council and fair for the professional work involved.
